Circle Z Ranch is the PRT Weekly News Bulletin’s Premier Sponsor for 2025. We are grateful for their partnership. If you would like to be a newsletter sponsor, click here for more info.
Share your news with the PRT’s Weekly News Bulletin’s 2,000 subscribers! Got an eye-catching photo or video? A noncommercial or nonprofit event announcement or report? Maybe a volunteer opportunity, or birth/graduation/wedding news, or an obituary? Please tell us about it. Email us at prtadast@gmail.com
Photo of the Week
“This was taken in Elgin on July 16 in the morning. I thought the clouds were so amazing I had to pull my car over several times because the view kept getting better. Being from Chicago, this view blew me away…this is why I love Arizona!” —Kathy Tudor, Elgin
News
‘Mighty Nine’ Little Leaguers eliminated from state tournament
By Dave Lumia
The improbable postseason run of the Santa Cruz Little League 8-10-year-old All-Stars came to an end July 16 with a 9-3 loss to Goodyear at Stone Complex in Sierra Vista.
Santa Cruz won 7 of 10 games over the past three weeks, claiming the District 8 championship and finishing among the final eight teams in Arizona. Along the way they defeated teams from Willcox, Sierra Vista, Benson, Douglas, Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Santa Cruz played the entire postseason with the minimum of nine players: four 10-year-olds, four 9-year-olds and one 8-year-old.
“We set out a goal to win one game (in the district tournament),” said Aaron Thomas, assistant coach and league president. “The boys got some confidence, and they just got better and better every game. They played with a lot of heart.”
Click here to continue reading this report.
Monsoon moisture brings easing of fire restrictions on state and federal lands
From Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management:
(July 21, 2025) Effective today, fire restrictions have been lifted on state and federal lands throughout Southeastern Arizona. Widespread precipitation across the area, additional rain in the weather forecast, and a rise in fuel moisture, have decreased the likelihood of a wildfire.
Visitors are reminded to always practice fire safety:
- Before going hiking or camping, check with public land management agencies for fire regulations, restrictions, or area closures.
- Metal fire rings or grills should be used when available. Wood placed on a fire should never exceed the size of the grill or fire ring.
- When building a fire on the ground, ensure that the area is clear of all flammable materials. Avoid building fires on windy days.
- If you have a campfire, make sure it is fully extinguished before leaving the area. Douse it with water and stir it with a shovel until completely cold to the touch.
- If you are using a portable stove, make sure the area is clear of grass and other vegetation. Ensure it is placed on a level surface to prevent the stove from tipping.
- Cigarettes should never be thrown out the window of a vehicle. Always use an ashtray.
- Practice Leave No Trace principles – don’t leave behind cigarette butts or other burned materials.
- Never park a vehicle over dead grass; the catalytic converter can ignite the vegetation.
- Use caution while discharging a firearm, operating an internal combustion engine, welding, operating acetylene or other torches with an open flame, or using explosives (where permitted).
- Fireworks are always prohibited on federal and state trust lands.
- Target shooting is never allowed on State Trust lands.
Fire conditions as well as localized closures and restrictions are subject to change. Tribal, federal, state, and local mandates are different and there may be some differences in their year-round regulations and restriction notices. For a more detailed explanation concerning agency restrictions and fire information, please contact the nearest land management agency office where you plan to work or play. For a full list visit wildlandfire.az.gov, or call the toll-free Southwest Fire Restrictions Hotline at 1-877-864-6985.
Short agenda for Patagonia Town Council’s July 23 meeting
The Patagonia Town Council will hold its second regular meeting of the month on Wednesday, July 23 at 6pm. As always, members of the public may attend the Council meeting in person or via Zoom: Meeting I.D. 957-511-4862 Password 338501
Agenda items for this meeting include:
- Discussion and possible action to approve Town Manager Ron Robinson sign a proposal with Robert Ollerton to provide six emergency handheld radios and one emergency radio installed in the town pickup to comply with the emergency operations plan approved by the Council on March 26, 2025. The proposal amount is $2,703.99 and the supplier is La Rue Communications.
- Discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 25-01 [click here to read], an ordinance of the mayor and Council of the Town of Patagonia, Arizona amending Town Code Section 3-2-1 by adding new Subsection (A) Town Manager duties.
Click here for more information on the meeting, including the complete agenda.
Dwellers in the cave
Jason Miller, the Vail-based independent wildlife videographer, has posted a new five-minute collection of video clips compiled from two cameras at a mountain lions’ den located somewhere in our region. Turn up the volume, and have a look and listen:
For more of Jason’s wildlife videos, follow him at his YouTube channel and on Instagram.
Meet the ‘butcher bird’ of the Sky Islands
By Vince Pinto
Loggerhead shrikes are stout songbirds with a thick neck and a large, rounded head with a bold black mask. One of their most prominent anatomical features is their distinctive thick, hooked beak—a key tool, supporting their predatory lifestyle. The species has short wings and a long, rounded tail. Their nests are an open, deep cup, that allows the female to immerse itself deeply while incubating. As such, she is often completely out of view except for the tip of her tail.
Perched as a sentinel in a highbranch, this particular loggerhead shrike is surveying for potential prey. He or she—sexes are alike and hence inscrutable—is patiently monitoring the landscape at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary, hoping to ambush a small vertebrate or large invertebrate. Common prey items include various lizards, small mammals, smaller birds, and grasshoppers. I once observed a loggerhead shrike take down and even fly off with an adult male Pyrrhuloxia—a case of a 1.6 ounce bird dispatching and taking flight with a 1.1 ounce species! Incredibly, they can even slay larger and heavier mourning doves and northern flickers—akin to a 150-pound mountain lion killing a 400-pound elk.
Shrikes have a toothlike spike on either side of the upper bill and a corresponding notch on either side of the lower mandible. Known as a “tomial tooth,” this feature allows these fierce predators to kill prey with a quick bite to the neck, thereby often severing the spinal cord. Shrikes regularly impale their prey on thorns or barbed wire or wedge them into a forked branch. This allows them to dismember prey with their beak, as their rather weak feet are relatively useless for the task. This behavior has earned them the nickname “butcher birds.”
Often Shrikes kill more prey than they need at one time, allowing them to store or cache food for later retrieval—most often on plant spines and thorns. This “dry storage” even allows them to consume otherwise toxic grasshoppers—sort of like curing olives. Loggerhead Shrikes have also been known to patiently monitor nests of other birds in order to determine the best time to raid them.
The Thrift Shop will be closed for the month of August for painting. However, co-managers Nell and Kyle are happy to accept drop-in volunteers to help pack up and move inventory during the first week of August. Please come by the Thrift Shop at 387 McKeown Ave.
Obituary
Patricia “Pat” Grombly, 1934-2025
School News and Youth Events
Upcoming Events
To share information about an upcoming event in the PRT Weekly News Bulletin, please submit a poster/flyer in JPEG or PNG format. Email your submission to prtadast@gmail.com by Monday, 5pm. Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date. Thank you!
From Borderlands Restoration Network:
Monsoon Mixer with Borderlands Restoration Network
Saturday, August 23 5-8 PM
Patagonia Lumber Company
Celebrate the season of renewal with Borderlands Restoration Network at our Monsoon Mixer! Join us for a casual evening gathering where you can connect with BRN staff, board members, and fellow supporters who care deeply about restoring and protecting the borderlands.
Enjoy music from Connie Brannock & Little House of Funk, a great beer and wine selection, and delightful company as we share updates from the field, stories from the borderlands, and our vision for the work ahead. This is a special opportunity to meet the people behind the work and learn how your support makes a lasting impact.
Let’s raise a glass to rain, resilience, and restoration. We can’t wait to see you there!
Get ready for the 110th Annual Labor Day Rodeo — it’s almost here! Tickets will be available starting July 30 at SonoitaFairgrounds.com — so hold on to your hats and mark your calendars!
From the Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts (SCFPA):
The announcement for our upcoming season was designed by the talented Paula Schaper and inspired by Pat McNamara’s wonderful work of art. Please mark your calendars for the 2025-2026 season at the Benderly-Kendall Opera House. Tickets will go on sale on September 15th.
Recurring Events
From the Crossroads Quilters:
Are you a textile artist (weaving, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting)? The Crossroads Quilters invites all interested textile artists to our meetings. Bring a project to work on and enjoy a morning of information sharing and camaraderie. We meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 9am at the Sonoita Bible Church, 3174 N. Highway 83. For more information email: alisbunting@gmail.com
Alcoholics Anonymous:
- Sonoita Bible Church – Tuesdays at 7pm, 3174 N. Doors open at 6:30. Highway 83, Sonoita. Zoom option: 601-758-3907.
- Patagonia Methodist Community Church – Thursdays at 6:30pm. 387 McKeown Ave., Patagonia. Contact Dave at 207-249-8302.
Overeaters Anonymous: to find a meeting go to oasouthernaz.org. Contact Adrienne H. for more info 520-404-3490.
The Patagonia Senior Center has received a grant from Delta Dental of Phoenix to help seniors with dental expenses. Vouchers are provided for up to $350 to participating dentists. If interested, please call the Senior Center at (520) 394-2494.
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
Employment Opportunities
To list an employment opportunity, please contact Nisa Talavera at prtads@gmail.com or 740-206-9594.
From Sonoita-Elgin Fire District:
You’re running out of time!
The Sonoita-Elgin Fire District is Hiring!
Now is your chance to chase that career you’ve always dreamed of. Come join our family and grow your career!
With Full-Time and Part-Time opportunities available, there’s never been a better time to get involved! (And with the new pay rates, there’s even more reason to make the switch today)
Questions or concerns? Contact administration at (520) 988-5162.
We look forward to you joining our family!
From Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office:
We are hiring!!!! We have openings for Patrol Deputy, Detention Officer, and Communications Officer (Dispatch).
No experience? That’s completely okay! We’re here to support you every step of the way by sponsoring your training through a trusted, certified academy.
Who’s eligible? We are accepting applications from certified officers and sponsored recruits.
Applicants for sponsored recruitment must be at least 21 years old, pass a physical and written test, undergo a polygraph and medical exam, and successfully complete a background check.
Where can you apply? Only applications received through the link below will be accepted.
https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3602/Employment-Application?bidId=
Have Questions? Call the Santa Cruz County Human Resource Office at 520-375-7638 or email at SCCHR@santacruzcountyaz.gov
Farmers Markets
Patagonia Farmers and Crafts Market – Thursdays 10am-12pm by Red Mountain Foods.
Sonoita Farmers Market – Saturday Mornings 9am-12pm at the Sonoita Post Office parking lot (NW corner of Hwy 82/83)
Sierra Vista Farmers Market – Thursday 10am-2pm at Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Nogales “Little” Mercado – Fridays 4-7pm 163 Morley Ave, Nogales.
Church Events and Schedules
St. Therese Parish in Patagonia
Patagonia United Methodist Church
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
Our Advertisers
For information on advertising in the PRT’s print edition, Weekly News Bulletin, website or a custom package, please contact Nisa Talavera at prtads@gmail.com or 740-206-9594.
Private collector interested in buying good quality minerals from the Patagonia area and other Arizona locations. Please contact Bob Stewart, 315-440-2786 (Sahuarita)
Want to know when a new PRT Weekly News Bulletin is out? You can receive an email the moment our Weekly News Bulletin is published every Wednesday. Click here to join the PRT email list.